Amtrak, United Parcel Service and Quest Diagnostics have an exclusive deal with Cabrini that gives their employees the opportunity to attend college here for a very minimal cost and some times with no cost at all. The only requirements are that the person be 23 years of age and a full time worker. The person also needs to have at least 30 undergraduate credits.
According to Leslie Petty, the executive director of adult and continuing education, UPS and Quest Diagnostics pay 100 percent of their workers tuition. Amtrak pays 50 percent and the rest is paid by the student/employee. A 20 percent discount is further given to the Amtrak student, which comes off what they are asked to pay back.
Classes take place Monday thru Thursday evening, usually from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. They are required to take 14 modules, meaning classes, which are a total of 42 credits. Each module is five weeks long with a different instructor for each one. The curriculum is made up of instructional modules in management and supervision, accounting and finance, marketing and economics, business ethics, communication, organizational behavior, and research and data analysis.
“The nice thing about this program is the people you work with are also in most cases your classmates. The program begins and ends with the same people, which is good because they are able to study and get to know each other better,” Petty said.
Jack Evans, a 47-year-old Amtrak employee attends Cabrini and is majoring in Organizational Management. He is in the accelerated programs offered, and will be finished after completing the one remaining mogul needed for graduation.
“I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to go to college mostly for my own personal satisfaction. It also boosts your education dramatically and opens more doors in the work force. I am enjoying my college experience,” Evans said.
The cost of the accelerated degree program per semester (includes books)-$5,246, therefore Amtrak workers are expected to pay half and then receive additional help with a 20 percent discount. Whereas UPS and Quest Diagnostics are not responsible for any payments.
“I think it is good that adults can go back to school for a very low costs, sometimes with no cost at all. It is never too late to go to college and get the education you have always wanted. It is good businesses such as Amtrak do that for their workers,” said junior Krista Stella.
Currently there are 40 to 50 students attending Cabrini from UPS, while Amtrak has 30 or so students. The accelerated degree program allows students to receive their bachelor of arts in as little as a one year, depending on the number of credits students bring into the program. The average student will get their bachelors degree in two years to two-and-a-half years.
“This program is great for adults who never had the opportunity to attend college because their own children were in school or too young, can now go and complete school. Most of the time, they do it for their own personal satisfaction. But I have seen many students get promoted or get better job opportunities,” said Petty.
These courses are offered on-site, so that employees can take classes at their work. Cabrini will be going to Amtrak on Nov. 4, looking for a new group.
